Messages to N. Meck

Some North Mecklenburg High School students were critical of what we were saying and how we were saying it during our God is Going Back to School Campaign there. Some suspected that we might even be a cult of some kind. Following are several of their e-mails with our responses.

Messages to N. Meck

Hi Mr. Benham,

I'm a tenth grade student at North Mecklenburg, where you currently are campaigning. Having read much of your web site and the pamphlets being distributed, the message seems to be that Jesus would support your actions and would be involved Himself. I go to church each Sunday, in addition to Sunday School class and weekday services, so I guess you could say that I consider myself fairly involved in the church. But from everything that I've gathered in my lifetime there, I cannot fathom that He would partake in such things. Did He not befriend lepers and prostitutes? And in doing so, He did not try to force them into believing what He believed, He simply showed them love in the name of God. He did not tell them that they would be eternally damned, but welcomed them with open arms as they were. It was the love that He showed that changed their minds, not the threats. and Jesus tried to teach that to His disciples, just as He continues to try to teach it to us today. It is my personal belief that as Christians, we should work in Christ's love for us, and show it to the world, not threaten others with the prospect of Hell.

Judging not, Lest I be judged,

Liz

Dear Liz,

Jesus surely is the friend of sinners. When one knows he is a sinner he runs to Jesus, not away from Him, for he knows he has no place else to go. Jesus is God's One and Only solution to sin. You can't fix it in any other way or under any other name. The problem we have at North Meck is that many of the students claim Christianity but Believe that one can be a practicing homosexual and a Christian at the same time. Where would they ever get this idea? Some of them believe that they can go and have an abortion and the Jesus they believe just forgives them. Hey, let's sin all the more that God's grace may abound (Romans 6:1). Some believe that Jesus and Allah are one in the same God – just different names. Nothing could be further from the truth. But, if truth doesn't matter to you, just do whatever feels right.

The Jesus portrayed in the Bible is the One who knocked on the door of your heart this week. The truth was spoken in love. Jesus is very judgmental and very intolerant. Yet He loves sinners, that's why He loves you and me.

In Christian love,

Flip

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RE: Biblical references

Are there any biblical references that say anything about abortion being bad, or about judging people based on being homosexual or Muslim? Also, what denomination does this movement belong to, and do you believe in the Trinity, or that Jesus is God?

Thanks,

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

I think what you need is a bible study on abortion. We don't have one on-line but here's a link to a brief study that should cover what you're wondering about: http://www.dougbrittonbooks.com/resources/abortion-bible-study-womb-life-forgiveness.asp.

See OSA's PDF brochure "Biblical Judgement or Hate Speech?" regarding judging homosexuals and Islam. http://www.operationsaveamerica.org/brochures/acrobat/BiblicalJudgment_or_HateSpeech.pdf

OSA is not a church. We are members of many different denominations. I'm Southern Baptist. Flip started out as an Independent Methodist preacher. We have people who are members of Bible Churches, Assembly of God and a variety of other denominations. Although I've never heard it discussed at an OSA gathering, I think probably the glue that holds us together is a belief in the Bible as the inerrant word of God.

Yes, we believe in the Trinity/that Jesus is God.

Thanks for the excellent questions.

God bless you.

Brenda

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To whom this may concern,

Hi, my name is Kenny and I am currently a student at North Mecklenburg High School. I am just writing to say that what I think you guys are doing is wrong. I think that people should be able to believe in whatever they want to not what you think is right. Different people have different views on what happened back then. I, being a practicing Roman Catholic, believe in the Bible and to me that IS what happened back then. To other people though they think that what we believe in didn't exactly happen that way or not even at all. This is why they have different Gods then we do. I know that this is your religion to think that these things are wrong but, to many people it is who they are. I always thought that God loved us for being us. For being different and for being special. But, in one of your pamphlets you said that God wants us to be the same. You are twisting the words of the bible around.

Sincerely,

Kenny

Dear Kenny,

What you seem to be saying is that the truth is different for different people. Whether or not you choose to believe it, there is a real truth. Christ said "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). As you can see, it is impossible to accept this Bible verse as true and, at the same time, believe that someone else can reach God by following Mohammed.

I hope you continue asking questions, reading the Bible and seeking the truth. It'll make all the difference in where you spend eternity. Thank you for writing.

In Christ,

Brenda

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Say No To Chimpy wrote:

Tell me this isn't a legitimate organization. Gays, abortion, and Islam in the same sentence (“ Abortion is Murder – Homosexuality is Sin – Islam is a Lie, What do these Three Have in Common)? Do you realize that less than one-third of this world is Christian? The United States was not founded as a "Christian" nation, but rather as a nation where multiple religions could co-exist and work together. You're message is not one of love (which is what Jesus would sanction), but rather one of hate and discord. WWJD? Certainly not what you are preaching. Remember, Jesus was a Jew, and did not go about saying those who did not follow him were damned to a life in Hell. Spend a little time with history, and you might learn something.

Tell me this isn't a legitimate organization.

OR/Operation Save America is a legitimate organization. I've been involved since 1993, others even longer.

Less than one-third of this world is Christian

The fact that so many in the world are lost gravely concerns us. That's why we do what we do.

The United States was not founded as a "Christian" nation

The United States absolutely was founded as a Christian nation. Even a cursory glance through the writings of our founders should tell you that.

July 9, 1776, the Continental Congress authorized (Christian) chaplains for the army. General George Washington issued the general order to his troops, stating : The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man, will endeavor to live, and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier defending the dearest Rights and Liberties of his country.

John Adams in a February 22, 1756 diary entry wrote : Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God...What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be.

Not founded as a Christian nation? Here's what John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, following the first day of the first session of the Continental Congress : When the Congress met, Mr. Cushing made a motion that it should be opened with Prayer. It was opposed by Mr. Jay of New York, and Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina because we were so divided in religious sentiments, some Episcopalians, some Quakers, some Anabaptists, some Presbyterians, and some Congregationalists, that we could not join in the same act of worship.

This dispute over which (Christian) denomination's clergyman should pray was resolved when Mr. Duche', an Episcopal minister, was chosen.

Another Adams, Samuel Adams, the “Father of the American Revolution,” and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, wrote : The rights of the colonists as Christians...may be best understood by reading and carefully studying the institution of The Great Law Giver and Head of the Christian Church, which are to be found clearly written and promulgated in the New Testament.

Do you recall Patrick Henry's fiery speech prior to the start of the American Revolution? He said : Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God ! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

When the subject of religious freedom came up among this country's founders, it was always understood they were speaking of the freedom of Christian denominations to worship as they pleased.

When he was chosen to draft the first constitution of the commonwealth of Virginia, June 12, 1776, Patrick Henry championed article 16 of the Virginia Bill of Rights. It states : That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of their conscience; and that is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.

Thomas Jefferson, while in Philadelphia, attended Christ Church. In Williamsburg, he attended Bruton Parish (Episcopal) Church. His well-worn Bible, a four volume set, was listed with the other books in his personal library this way : A more beautiful or precious morsel of ethics I have never seen; it is a document in proof that I am a real Christian; that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus. Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern, which have come under my observation, none appear to me so pure as that of Jesus.

Virtually every one of the 55 signers of the U.S. Constitution of 1787, were members of Christian denominations: 29 were Anglicans, 16 to 18 were Calvinists, 2 were Methodists, 2 were Lutherans, 2 were Roman Catholic, 1 lapsed Quaker and sometimes Anglican, and 1 open Deist, Benjamin Franklin, who attended every kind of Christian worship, called for public prayer, and contributed to all denominations.

You're message is not one of love (which is what Jesus would sanction), but rather one of hate and discord.

Our message is from God's Word. You consider it hateful because it makes people uncomfortable in their sins, but we consider it loving to warn people about the ultimate and horrible outcome of sin while they still have an opportunity to repent, turn from sin, and follow Christ. “I am innocent of all men's blood, for I have not withheld the whole counsel of God,“ (Acts 20:26-27).

Remember, Jesus was a Jew, and did not go about saying those who did not follow him were damned to a life in Hell. Spend a little time with history, and you might learn something.

I can't decided which is greater, your arrogance or your ignorance. Jesus is part of the triune Godhead. As God, He created hell. Does it strike you that he must have had a purpose in mind for it?

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father but by me,“ (John 14:6). I know it's a little subtle, but think about it. If one does not believe in Jesus and therefore is not allowed to come to the Father (in heaven), where does he go? Could it be, hell...?

In Matthew 8:12, Jesus described hell when warning the “sons of the kingdom” (the Jews) what the penalty would be for their lack of faith. He said they would be “cast out into the outer darkness” (away from the light and glory of God) and, “in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth,“(suffering).

In other words, Jesus said they would go to hell because they lacked the faith [in Christ ] that the centurion showed in Matthew 8:5-11

In Matthew 23:27-33 Christ calls the scribes and Parisees a “brood of vipers“ and asks, “how shall you escape the sentence of hell?”

So, yes, the Christ of the Bible, did warn those who didn't follow Him that they would go to hell.